Palestinian Pollster: Support for Hamas Grows, but Peace Still Possible
In an interview with The Media Line’s Felice Friedson and Giorgia Valente, Palestinian pollster Dr. Khalil Shikaki discusses rising Palestinian support for Hamas after the October 7 attacks, offering nuanced insights into current political attitudes in Gaza and the West Bank. Shikaki explains that while support for Hamas has surged since the attack, this is not due to an alignment with Hamas’ values but rather support for its policies, particularly regarding Israel. His polling shows that around 40% of Gazans and West Bank Palestinians now support Hamas, driven by the perception that the attack brought international attention to the Palestinian cause. Despite this, he underscores that a majority of Palestinians still favor peace with Israel when presented with the option.
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Shikaki also explores Palestinian perspectives on humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza, noting criticism of the chaos but little blame directed at Hamas. Instead, Israel’s policies are seen as contributing to the anarchy that disrupts aid distribution. Furthermore, Shikaki warns that although West Bank Palestinians are increasingly frustrated and supportive of armed groups, a large-scale uprising is not imminent unless there are significant shifts within the Palestinian Authority.
Shikaki remains cautiously optimistic that both Palestinians and Israeli Jews prefer peace over war, even amid a tense and dehumanizing conflict. He continues to study this dynamic through joint Israeli-Palestinian surveys, hoping that future leadership—potentially from the US—will help guide the region toward peace. To learn more about Dr. Khalil Shikaki’s findings and thoughts on the evolving situation, read the full article.
